Then Eli understood that the LORD was calling the youth. So Eli said to Samuel, “Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’” When Samuel went to sleep in his place, the LORD came and revealed his presence, calling out as before, “Samuel, Samuel!” Samuel answered, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” (1 Sam 3:1-10, 19-20)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011024.cfm
The wisdom of the old priest, Eli, helped the young Samuel to hear the voice of the Lord. I love Bible stories, they have stayed with me all my life. I remember when my Sunday School teacher, Mrs Strong, first told us the story of young Samuel sleeping in the Temple. I couldn’t have been more than 5 years old. I still have the little crocheted cross that Mrs Strong gave me almost 70 years ago!
These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.
Wednesday, Week I, Ordinary Time
